Your Patient Experience at South Barrington Dental Care
Everything you need before your visit, in one place. What happens at your first appointment, how we handle nerves and comfort, what your insurance covers, and how we make treatment affordable. No guesswork, and no surprise bills.
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What Makes Care Here Different
A Small Team That Knows You
Dr. Allison Bartley leads a dedicated, all-female clinical team. You see the same hygienist and the same assistant visit after visit, which means nobody is reading your history for the first time while you sit in the chair. Meet the people you will be working with on our team page.
Complete Care in One Location
Cleanings, same-day crowns, root canals, dental implants, clear aligners, and emergency care all happen here. You are not sent across town to a specialist you have never met, and your records do not have to follow you anywhere.
We Explain Before We Treat
You see what we see. Intraoral camera images go up on the screen, AI-assisted x-ray review helps highlight areas of concern, and every recommendation comes with the reasoning behind it. If you would rather watch and wait on something that is not urgent, we will tell you that too.
Technology That Shortens Your Visit
CEREC same-day crowns mean one appointment instead of two, with no temporary crown in between. 3D Cone Beam imaging and digital scanning replace messy impressions and guesswork. The point is not the equipment. The point is fewer visits and more predictable results. See the full list on our technology page.
If You Are Nervous About the Dentist
Dental anxiety is common and it is nothing to apologize for. Plenty of our patients arrived after years away, or after an experience somewhere else that they would rather not repeat. Tell us when you schedule, and we will plan the visit around it.
If You Are Worried About Discomfort
We offer nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation, and we do not start until you are comfortable. If you need a pause at any point, raise your hand. That is not an inconvenience, it is part of how we work.
If It Has Been Years Since Your Last Visit
No lecture. We see this every week. We listen first, complete a thorough exam, explain what we find in plain language, and build a plan that fits your timeline and your budget. Where to start is your call.
If You Have Had a Bad Experience Elsewhere
Patients come to us after feeling rushed, dismissed, or pushed toward treatment they did not understand. Your consultation here is a conversation. Your plan is written down. Every decision is yours.
If You Are Worried About Cost
You will know the number before we begin. We verify your benefits ahead of the appointment, give you a written estimate of your portion, and walk through financing if you need it. See insurance and financing below.
For Anxious Patients Who Want to Start Slow
Ask about a consultation visit with no treatment scheduled. Just a conversation, a look, and a plan. Many nervous patients find that one low-stakes visit makes the next one straightforward.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Plan for 60 to 90 minutes. Here is how that time is used.
We Start With a Conversation
Before anything clinical, we talk. Your dental history, what has bothered you, what you want to fix, what you have been putting off, and how you feel about dental visits in general. This shapes everything that follows.
A Thorough, Unhurried Exam
A comprehensive exam including digital x-rays, an oral cancer screening, intraoral photos, and a full look at your teeth, gums, and bite. Everything goes up on the screen so you can see it for yourself.
A Written Plan With Real Numbers
Dr. Bartley reviews the findings with you and builds a written treatment plan. What is urgent, what can wait, what each option involves, and what your estimated out-of-pocket cost will be after insurance. You leave with the plan in hand and no pressure to decide on the spot.
Cleaning and Next Steps
When your gum health allows, we complete a professional cleaning at the same visit. If your gums need treatment first, we explain why and schedule accordingly. Treatment starts when you are ready.
What to Bring
- Photo ID
- Dental insurance card, if you have one
- List of current medications and allergies
- Recent x-rays from a previous dentist, if you have them (we can also request these for you)
- Any questions or concerns you want addressed
Complete your paperwork early to save time at your visit.
New Patient Forms
Paperwork can be completed in the office or sent to you in advance by email or text. Filling it out ahead of time saves you 10 to 15 minutes in the waiting room.
For Returning Patients
Your recall visit runs 45 to 60 minutes: a professional cleaning with your hygienist, updated x-rays when they are due, and a check-in with Dr. Bartley.
If something comes up between visits, call us. Plenty of questions get answered over the phone, and urgent problems can usually be seen within a day or two.
Your Comfort During the Visit
Ask for any of these at any point. You do not need a reason.
While you wait:
- Coffee, tea, and water in our lounge
- Free WiFi
In the chair:
- Blanket
- Neck pillow or lumbar support
- Sunglasses or eye mask for the overhead light
- Lip balm
- Headphones
- Nitrous oxide or oral conscious sedation, arranged in advance
If there is something else that would make your visit easier, tell us. We would rather adjust than have you sit through it.
Insurance, Financing, and What Things Cost
Dental care should not come with a surprise bill. We verify your benefits before treatment, put your estimated portion in writing, and talk through financing well before any work begins. If you do not have insurance, you still have good options.
Insurance Plans We Accept
We are in network with or accept benefits from most major PPO dental plans, including:
(Retain the existing carrier logo grid: Delta Dental, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Guardian, MetLife, Humana, UnitedHealthcare, Ameritas, Anthem, United Concordia, Principal, Connection Dental, GEHA, Dental Health Alliance, AlwaysCare.)
If your plan is not shown, call (847) 382-0700. We can often work with it as an out-of-network provider and still file the claim on your behalf.
How Billing Works
Before your visit
We verify your benefits, confirm your deductible and annual maximum, and check what is covered. This happens before you arrive, so there are no surprises at checkout.
At Your Visit
Your treatment plan and estimated patient portion are reviewed before any clinical work starts. If something changes mid-treatment, for example a cavity that turns out to need a root canal instead of a filling, we stop, explain the revised plan, and get your approval before continuing.
After Your Visit
We file the claim with your insurance and send you a statement for any remaining balance. If insurance pays more than expected, we refund the difference promptly.
Financing Options
CareCredit
A health and dental credit card with 6, 12, 18, and 24 month interest-free promotional financing on qualifying charges. Commonly used for dental implants, full smile makeovers, and clear aligner treatment. Apply in the office or online before your visit.
GreenSky
Longer-term fixed-rate financing for larger cases, with terms based on your credit profile and the treatment total. Our treatment coordinator will walk you through the options.
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In-Office Payment Plans
For some cases we can split payments across the treatment timeline. Ask about this if third-party financing is not what you want.
No Insurance? No Problem.
Many of our patients pay out of pocket. Here is how we make that work:
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Transparent pricing
A written treatment plan before any work begins. No hidden fees.
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Competitive self-pay rates
Our self-pay pricing reflects what the work actually costs, not an inflated starting point built for insurance negotiation.
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Phased treatment
Urgent work first, the rest sequenced across months so it fits your budget.
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Preventive focus
Regular cleanings and exams are the cheapest dentistry there is. Prevention beats restoration almost every time.
No Insurance? No Problem.
Our in-house membership plan for patients without dental insurance. Exclusive care, exceptional value, no claims, no deductibles, no annual maximum.
Choose a plan that fits your needs and start saving today.
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The 10% discount applies to all products and services. Call (847) 382-0700 or ask at the front desk to enroll.
Paying Your Bill: Cash, check, and all major credit cards accepted in the office. You can also pay online at any time.
Scheduling an Appointment
We see patients Monday through Thursday, with evening availability on Tuesdays and Saturdays by appointment.
Office Hours: Monday 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Tuesday 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM, Wednesday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Thursday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Friday closed, Saturday by appointment only, Sunday closed.
Call (847) 382-0700 to schedule, or request an appointment online.
You can also reach us by email at office@southbarringtondentalcare.com. We respond to email during business hours.
Emergency Care
Severe toothache, broken tooth, lost crown, or swelling? Call (847) 382-0700 as early in the day as you can. We hold time daily for same-day emergency appointments.
For trauma that needs hospital-level care, including a broken jaw, uncontrolled bleeding, or difficulty breathing, go to the nearest emergency room first and call us for dental follow-up.
What Patients Are Saying
Patients consistently mention how comfortable and supported they feel during every visit.
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Getting Here Is Easy
We are at 8 Executive Court, Suite #2, South Barrington, IL 60010, in the Executive Court complex, with free on-site parking directly outside and easy access from I-90.
We serve patients across South Barrington, Inverness, Streamwood, Hoffman Estates, Palatine, Schaumburg, and Arlington Heights.
If you're searching for a reliable dentist near you, our office is aconvenient option for families and individuals throughout the area.
Common Questions
How do I schedule my first appointment?
Call (847) 382-0700 during office hours or request an appointment online. Our scheduling coordinator will ask a few questions about your dental history and any specific concerns, then match you with the right appointment type and length of time.
How long will my first visit take?
Plan for 60 to 90 minutes. That covers a comprehensive exam, digital x-rays, an oral cancer screening, a conversation about your goals, and a cleaning when your gum health allows.
What if I am nervous about dental visits?
Tell us when you schedule. We offer nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation, and our team is experienced with dental anxiety. Many nervous patients start with a short consultation visit with no treatment planned, just a conversation, which makes the next appointment much easier.
Do you take walk-ins?
For emergencies we do our best to fit you in the same day. For routine appointments, scheduling ahead is much better, because it lets us block the right amount of time and have your chart and insurance ready before you arrive.
Can you tell me what a procedure will cost before I commit?
Yes. For anything more involved than a cleaning, we build a written treatment plan with your estimated out-of-pocket cost before you agree to proceed. If you want pricing before you schedule treatment, book a consultation.
Will you file my insurance for me?
Yes. We file claims on your behalf for in-network plans and most out-of-network plans, so the paperwork is not your problem.
What if my insurance denies a claim?
We appeal on your behalf when an appeal is appropriate. Most legitimate claims are paid after a properly documented appeal. If something genuinely is not covered, we tell you so you can plan around it.
What if I cannot afford the treatment you recommend?
Talk to us. We prioritize what is urgent, phase the rest, and walk through financing including CareCredit and GreenSky. For patients without insurance, our Signature Circle membership covers preventive care at a fixed annual cost. There is almost always a path forward.
How do I pay for treatment?
Cash, check, all major credit cards, CareCredit, and GreenSky financing. You can also pay online. For insured patients we bill insurance directly where possible, and your expected portion is always discussed before treatment.
Can I bring my child to my appointment?
Yes, and we welcome children as patients too. Our team is comfortable with first dental visits for kids and with keeping them settled while a parent is being seen. Let us know when you schedule so we can plan the timing.
South Barrington Dental Care has been serving patients in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago for years and has built a strong local reputation for comprehensive, patient-centered care. Dr. Allison Bartley leads the practice and the all-female clinical team.
Ready to Schedule?
Whether this is your first dental visit in a decade or you are simply looking for a practice that does things more carefully, we would like to meet you.
Serving South Barrington, Inverness, Streamwood, Hoffman Estates, Palatine, Schaumburg, and Arlington Heights.
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